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The 2025-2026 Allopathic Medical School Application: AMCAS Application

If you’re looking to start medical school in the Fall of 2026, now is the time to get started with the application process! Throughout this week, we’ll post blogs that focus on each component of the application and provide suggested timing and resources.

AMCAS Application: 

Submit no later than mid-June.

  • The AMCAS application opens and will be available here on May 1, 2025.

  • The first date to submit the AMCAS application is May 27, 2025.

  • The first date that processed applications will be released to medical schools is June 27, 2025.

We recommend that you submit your application in early to mid-June because your application will go through a verification process prior to the data being released to medical schools. This can take anywhere from a couple of weeks early in the process, to over a month during peak application submission periods. Note, in order to complete verification, your application must contain your official transcript, so request this document as well as your letters of recommendation a month or two before your planned submission date (by early April). You also want to submit your AMCAS application early because this step triggers schools to send out secondary application materials, either automatically, or after a pre-screen of your application. 

Review our blog posts on the AMCAS application:

The 2025-2026 Allopathic Medical School Application: An Overview with Suggested Timing

If you’re looking to start medical school in the Fall of 2026, now is the time to get started with the application process! Applying to medical school is arduous, but proper planning can reduce your stress and help you to maintain a manageable task load. Throughout this week, we’ll post blogs that focus on each component of the application and provide suggested timing and resources.

The four components of the medical school application include:

  • Standardized tests: MCAT and Situational Judgment Exams

  • AMCAS application 

  • Secondary Applications

  • Interviews

Standardized Tests:

MCAT: Your MCAT scores are typically valid for three years prior to matriculation, and you can take the exam up to three times.

  • Register: Select your preferred date, as well as a few alternative dates that would work. You can register for the test here. The ten-day deadline prior to the test is your last opportunity to schedule, reschedule, or cancel.

  • Prep: Start preparing for the MCAT at least six months prior to your planned test date. And sit for the exam no later than May 23, 2025 (scores released June 24th): This will avoid application delays. Keep in mind that we recommend that you take your exam by mid-April so that you can re-direct your attention to preparing the AMCAS application. 

Review our blog posts on the MCAT:

Situational Judgment Exams: There are two exams (CASPer and AAMC’s PREview) that fall under this umbrella. Depending upon the specific application requirements at the schools where you apply, you may need to take one, or possibly both. Currently, CASPer is the most commonly required of the two. 

CASPer: This test gauges your ability to critically evaluate complex scenarios and employ sound judgment and communication skills. Not all medical schools require applicants to take the CASPer, however, a growing number of allopathic and osteopathic programs do, currently over 50. Your CASPer score is generally only valid for one application cycle. 

The CASPer score is often requested alongside your secondary application or prior to an invitation to interview. Opting to take the test earlier in the cycle, rather than later, will allow you to have your scores readily available when requested, meaning that you can dedicate that time to preparing your secondary application materials or for mock interviews. It will also ensure that your application is not delayed as you wait for your scores.

Review our blog post on CASPer.

AAMC’s PREview Exam: Similar to the CASPer, the Preview exam gauges professional readiness by assessing your judgment in nine competency areas identified as critical for medical school success. It is unique in that it was created specifically for use in medical school admissions. Currently, only ten allopathic schools require the Preview exam, while an additional 14 allopathic schools and three DO programs recommend it.

  • Register: Find instructions for registering for the test here. You are able to reschedule your test up to 24 hours prior to your scheduled test time. Be sure to sit for the exam during the spring or summer of 2025.

  • Prep: Familiarize yourself with the test format and content before you take the exam. Once you have registered for the test, you will gain access to an exam tutorial. 

Review our blog post on the AAMC PREview Exam.

Are You a Pre-Med Struggling With a “Should-I” Question? We’re Here to Help.

If you’re planning to apply to medical school, you likely have a few “Should-I” questions on your mind. Stay tuned, as this week we’ll review the three most common pre-med questions and provide guidance and related resources.

Should I Take a Gap Year?

Maybe. In 2019, 43.9% of matriculating medical students had taken a gap year or two before medical school, according to the AAMC. You might even take a longer pause. Fun fact: The average age of a 2021 Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania matriculant was 24—ranging between 21 and 30. 

So, why might you want to take some time between undergrad and med school? You can use a gap year to beef up your transcript with a post-bacc or master's degree. Or you might take a break from academics to immerse yourself in a clinical or research experience. 

If you're light on clinical or research experience, we highly recommend a gap year. Longer-term clinical and research roles will teach you things a short stint cannot. And, if you work full-time in a clinical or research environment, that will further enhance your candidacy. 

Maybe you want to put away more money before attending medical school. Never a bad idea. Whatever work you do—it doesn’t have to be medical, you could be a bond trader or consultant—should challenge you in the areas of leadership, critical and creative thinking, and problem-solving. This is a transferable skill set to medical school and residency. What a gap year cannot be: A year of nothing but MCAT prep and vacation. Schools need to know you can handle multiple priorities and that you value learning and helping others.

Related:

Blog Series: Earning Another Degree or Certification Before Med School

Clinical Experiences that Medical Schools Love

How to Find Clinical Experiences for Your Gap Year(s)

Are You a Pre-Med Struggling With a “Should-I” Question? We’re Here to Help.

If you’re planning to apply to medical school, you likely have a few “Should-I” questions on your mind. Stay tuned, as this week we’ll review the three most common pre-med questions and provide guidance and related resources.

Should I Apply Early Decision? 

We rarely advise clients to apply early decision. Not only do you have to be 100% ready to commit to the school where you apply early if admitted, but you must be an absolute all-star. If you’re an average applicant, you will not improve your chances of admission. If you want to apply for early decision, August 1st is the Early Decision Program (EDP) deadline for all medical schools that use the AMCAS submission system. (And most do.) The EDP will tell you if you were accepted or not by October 1st, so you will still have time to apply to other medical schools if you’re rejected.

Are You a Pre-Med Struggling With a “Should-I” Question? We’re Here to Help.

If you’re planning to apply to medical school, you likely have a few “Should-I” questions on your mind. Stay tuned, as this week we’ll review the three most common pre-med questions and provide guidance and related resources.

Should I Take the MCAT again? 

We recommend taking the MCAT a maximum of three times—really, you should aim for two. (Medical schools prefer it.) "Since this exam’s introduction in 2015, the vast majority of examinees (just under 95%) have tested at most once or twice," reported the AAMC. "About 5% have tested three times.”

Data from the AAMC suggests that the longer the time between your first and second exam, the bigger the point gain. Many factors likely play into this, one of them is as simple as completing helpful college courses. 

You can take the MCAT seven times in your lifetime. The cap is three times in one calendar year and four times across two calendar years. There is no uniform way that schools handle multiple MCAT scores. Some will take your highest, others your most recent, others an average of your scores. So, if you scored really well on test one, you might do better to leave that score alone. But generally, we do recommend taking the test twice because it’s very likely that you’ll be able to improve your score by at least a couple of points.

Related: 

Key Considerations Before Retaking the MCAT 

Preparing for the MCAT: Tips and Advice from an Expert

Keys to a Great Relationship with Your Pre-Health Advisor: Be Strategic

A pre-med/pre-health advisor can be an invaluable resource. But, to make the most of your advisor relationship—you must invest in it. This week, we’re sharing our top tips for making the most of your relationship with your pre-health advisor. 

Make the most of your time together. Create an agenda for each meeting so that you can address all of your open items and use your time efficiently. In advance of the meeting, update your application timeline and resume, share any key goals or questions that you’d like to discuss during the meeting, and follow-up after meetings with any outstanding actions or questions. 

Keys to a Great Relationship with Your Pre-Health Advisor: Avail Yourself of All the Resources

A pre-med/pre-health advisor can be an invaluable resource. But, to make the most of your advisor relationship—you must invest in it. This week, we’re sharing our top tips for making the most of your relationship with your pre-health advisor. 

Avail yourself of all the possible resources. Take advantage of other resources that your school provides to help you stay informed and up-to-date on the medical school application process. Sign up for pre-health newsletters, digital resources, and/or clubs. You can then use your meetings with your advisor for more personalized guidance.

Keys to a Great Relationship with Your Pre-Health Advisor: Put In the Time

A pre-med/pre-health advisor can be an invaluable resource. But, to make the most of your advisor relationship—you must invest in it. This week, we’re sharing our top tips for making the most of your relationship with your pre-health advisor. 

Put in the time. Early in your undergraduate career, you should plan to meet with your advisor at least one or two times per semester. In your junior and senior years, particularly before and during the time you are actively working on your application, you will want to meet more frequently. We recommend setting up time to meet at least once a month. Many advisors work with a large number of students so, instead of trying to squeeze into their calendars last minute, plan ahead. 

Keys to a Great Relationship with Your Pre-Health Advisor: Find a Good Fit

A pre-med/pre-health advisor can be an invaluable resource. In addition to providing academic support, they can tell you about the school’s internal processes (such as requesting letters of evaluation), as well as available shadowing, clinical, and/or research opportunities. But, to make the most of your advisor relationship—you must invest in it. This week, we’re sharing our top tips for making the most of your relationship with your pre-health advisor. 

Find a good fit. Meet with your assigned advisor early, and determine if you have a good rapport. Ensure they have extensive experience guiding students into medical school, and that they are accessible and responsive. You may have the option to find an alternative advisor if it isn’t a good fit, so that’s why starting early is key.  

Alternative Routes to Becoming a Physician: Podiatry School

We’re exploring alternatives to the MD. Check back throughout the week as we provide some facts and figures and guidance on osteopathic, Caribbean, and podiatry programs.

Podiatry School

A podiatrist is a physician or surgeon who treats the feet. Podiatric programs cost less than MD and DO programs, and the surgical residencies are not as long. After graduation, you'd be entering a secure, lucrative field that usually has a humane number of work hours per week.

The average GPA and MCAT requirements for Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) programs are lower than U.S. MD and DO programs. In 2021, the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM) reported that the mean overall GPA for matriculants was 3.4 (Science: 3.2, Non-Science: 3.5), and the mean MCAT was 494.3

When You Should Apply:

If you’re applying to podiatry school, you want to apply the August before or early fall of your senior year. (If you plan on going to podiatry school right after undergrad.) The American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine Application Service (AACPMAS) begins processing primary applications in August for fall admission the following year. For priority consideration, the AACPMAS says you should submit before March. The final application deadline date is June 30th for fall admission of the same year. But don’t be on this last train out of town!

Where You Should Apply:

The AACPM website is an incredible resource for information on podiatry schools. We're talking breakdowns of each accredited school's mission, cost, special programs and services, demographics, and social media handles. If you're interested in podiatry, check out the info on all 11 accredited schools.

Alternative Routes to Becoming a Physician: Caribbean MD programs

We’re exploring alternatives to the MD. Check back throughout the week as we provide some facts and figures and guidance on osteopathic, Caribbean, and podiatry programs.

Caribbean MD Programs

Students with lower MCAT scores and GPAs are more likely to be accepted to allopathic schools abroad than in the U.S. Schools in the Caribbean are especially interested in students from the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada.

It's likely that way more doctors than you think graduated from international schools. From 2010 to 2020, the number of licensed physicians who graduated from international medical schools increased by 24%. "About one-quarter (24.7%) of active physicians in 2020 were international medical graduates (IMGs)," according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. "This includes U.S. citizens who studied abroad."

When You Should Apply:

Off-shore schools have rolling admissions (and have multiple start dates). We think you should start submitting applications to these programs with your U.S.-based allopathic applications in June.

Where You Should Apply:

Of the 80 Caribbean medical schools, we recommend "The Big Four" to clients. All have key international accreditations; they are recognized by the World Federation for Medical Education/Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (WFME/ FAIMER). They are also recognized by stricter state medical boards (like California's). These top Caribbean schools also have competitive residency placement rates and other boast-worthy qualities.

St. George's University / Grenada, West Indies: As of December 2020, the average MCAT score of matriculants was 498. Their average undergraduate GPA was 3.3. St. George's has a strong reputation for students passing the USMLE Step 1 (95%), USMLE Step 2 (91%), and for residency placement. SGU secured more than 990 U.S. residencies in 2022. The Grenada-based program has been the largest provider of doctors into first-year U.S. residencies for the last eight years.

Saba University School of Medicine / Saba: Saba told us that as of April 2022, the average GPA of matriculants was 3.19 and the average MCAT was 497. Saba is smaller than SGU, so it has fewer graduates becoming residents—but their stats are strong. Between 2019 and 2021, 94% of graduates obtained residencies. The average first-time pass rate for the USMLE between 2015 and 2020 was 99%.

American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine / St. Maarten: In January 2022, the average GPA for matriculants was 3.27; the average MCAT score was 496. AUC has a 93.2% pass rate for the USMLE Step 1, a 92.8% pass rate for the USMLE Step 2 CK, and 96% of 20212022 graduates attained residencies. AUC's clinical rotations take place at Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-approved hospitals. It has clinical teaching affiliates in the U.S. and the U.K., and students can take global health electives in the Dominican Republic, Russia, Uganda, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.

Ross University School of Medicine / Bridgetown, Barbados: RUSM emphasizes remedying systemic bias in healthcare in their curriculum—and on campus. Diversity in the student body and faculty is highly valued. They have rolling admissions; prospective students can apply anytime. Matriculants can start school in January, May, or September. The majority of clinical training takes place in the United States. 2022 graduates had a residency match rate of 96% and the school has consistently had a 91% first-time pass rate for the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2.

Alternative Routes to Becoming a Physician: Osteopathic Programs

If your GPA or MCAT is low-ish, it's time to consider all of your options. Osteopathic schools, off-shore MD programs, and podiatry schools are all roads that lead to you becoming a physician. And they are open to folks with lower GPAs and MCAT scores. It's not that these programs aren't competitive—they are—they're just not as competitive as many allopathic schools in the U.S.

This week, we’ll provide some facts and figures and guidance on osteopathic, Caribbean, and podiatry programs.

Osteopathic Programs

Plenty of applicants apply to osteopathic programs because they know they want to be DOs. You may have visions of that MD after your name. But if you're interested in holistic medical practices and primary care especially, one of the 42 accredited DO programs in the United States might be right for you.

In May 2021, the American Osteopathic Association's Physician Masterfile reported that 56.5% of osteopathic doctors practiced primary care. That covers a broad set of opportunities, including becoming an OB/GYN and a pediatrician. In 2022, nine Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine were in U.S. News & World Report's list of the top 10 schools with the most graduates practicing primary care. (Yep, them and one allopathic school.)

There is no shame in the DO game. One in four medical students in the United States attends an osteopathic program, according to the AOA. Much of an osteopathic classroom and clinical medical education is like an allopathic one. Additionally, osteopathic programs involve 200 hours of osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) training, which focuses on the spine, bones, and muscles.

You can find out more about osteopathic programs by attending an American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) virtual fair. Their ChooseDo.org website for prospective students can also give you valuable info on programs, tuition, application deadlines, etc.

Shadowing an osteopathic doctor will give you an idea of their day-to-day practice. And you'll have plenty of DOs to choose from: The 2020-21 Osteopathic Medical Profession (OMP) Report stated that there were 135,000 osteopathic physicians in America in 2021—an 80% increase over the past decade. DOs make up 11% of doctors and 26% of medical students in the country. And according to the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, 99.3% of DO graduates are placed in residencies.

If you're applying to an osteopathic program, you should have shadowed a DO or better yet worked with one. You'll also need a recommendation letter from an osteopathic physician—and we mean need—you must show a real interest here.

When You Should Apply:

The AACOM application opens in May. Deadlines for osteopathic programs are in February and March. You can check out the AACOM Choose DO Explorer for exact dates for each school. But we’d like to see you apply to these programs in October, just as allopathic schools start getting back to applicants.

Where You Should Apply:

No exaggeration: All U.S. osteopathic programs are good. The Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA)'s standards are strict. Check out the AACOM site for more information on the 42 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine, which have 67 teaching locations in 36 states.

Need Clinical Experience? Check out the SDN Activity Finder.

If you are a premedical student looking to supplement your learning and enhance your medical school application, check out the Student Doctor Network (SDN) activity-finder. The activity-finder allows you to sort through summer or next-term experiences, organized into the following categories: medical/clinical work experiences, volunteer/community service experiences, research experiences, and shadowing experiences. Then it provides a list of organizations and resources for you to consider by location.  

Need Clinical Experience? The Must-Knows if You’re Considering EMT Training

Many premedical students consider EMT training and certification because it can provide excellent clinical experience and patient interactions. Could it be the right fit for you? 

There are a lot of benefits that medical school admissions committees view favorably.

  • As an EMT, you will develop your leadership skills and understanding of some of the work and challenges physicians may face. 

  • You will gain foundational medical knowledge and clinical experience that will be useful throughout medical school and may ease the transition between your undergraduate and medical studies. In a recent study at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, which added EMT certification into the first-year curriculum, most students agreed that the certification eased the transition into medical school (82 percent) and “increased awareness of patient’s lives and circumstances” (91 percent). 

  • You will hone your ability to stay calm and clear-headed under duress, which will certainly benefit you as a medical student, resident, fellow, and attending physician.

EMT Certification Process. To become a certified EMT, you must take the equivalent of about six college credits at an accredited school, which includes CPR, controlling blood flow, and patient communication and interactions. You will then take the NREMT exam which is made up of two components: a written, cognitive section that measures your medical knowledge and a psychomotor skills assessment that measures practical skills in patient assessment and emergency response skills. After passing the test, you can apply for EMT certification through your local EMS agency. 

After certification, you will want to consider paid versus volunteer opportunities. Paid employment generally takes shift structures. Volunteer work is more flexible. If you consider paid employment, you will want to look for emergency response or ambulatory work, rather than interfacility transfers. Emergency work will provide you with the most opportunities for meaningful clinical experiences. To understand the opportunities available, check with your local EMS agency, fire departments or hospitals. 

Is it the right fit?

  • What types of clinical and/or research experiences have you already had? In what areas might your future medical school application benefit most?  

  • Do you have the time… really? If you want to gain EMT certification, consider it earlier in your undergraduate career or as an activity during a gap year. You won’t want to combine EMT certification with studying for the MCAT, coursework, and medical school applications and interviews.

  • What volunteer or employment opportunities are available for you locally? Are they a good fit with your schedule and interests? Gaining the certification without the associated patient experiences from working or volunteering will not provide you with any meaningful benefit as an applicant or medical student.

Need Clinical Experience? Consider a Medical Scribe Position.

If you’re a pre-med on the hunt for some high-quality clinical experiences, medical scribing could be an excellent fit. This paid position can help you to develop a strong network of provider relationships, gain an excellent foundation in medical terminology, observe clinical decision-making first-hand, and learn about the daily work and challenges of life as a physician. 

The work. Medical scribes serve as assistants to a physician (or multiple physicians) taking notes and charting patient encounters, inputting documentation into the Electronic Health Record (EHR), responding to patient questions and messages as directed by the physician, locating health records, and even researching information as requested by the physician. Scribes play a key role on a medical team as they free up the physician to focus on patient interactions while the scribe takes responsibility for administrative tasks. Scribes work closely under the supervision of a physician and do not have independent decision-making responsibilities. They work across a variety of specialties, including but not limited to: Emergency Medicine, Oncology, Dermatology, Gastroenterology, Family Practice, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Pain Management.

The training. After obtaining the position, medical scribes receive between a few weeks to a month of training in preparation for the position. This training is typically paired with a period of shadowing a fellow medical scribe. Even with this onboarding, most scribes feel overwhelmed early on in the role due to the steep learning curve. Scribes need to learn the styles and preferences of the physicians that they work alongside, including their preferred charting methods, as well as the EHR system and the new terminology. 

The benefits. 

  • Medical school admissions committees view scribing favorably. A scribe’s work demonstrates their commitment to a career in medicine by showing that they have an intimate understanding of the work of a medical provider. They will gain foundational medical knowledge and experience that will be useful throughout medical school and may ease the transition between their undergraduate and medical studies, and inform their future career path.

  • Scribes can gain experience within a specialty, including a more thorough understanding of the challenges that physicians in those roles face. 

  • Scribes will have the opportunity to develop a wide network of provider relationships, some of whom may be willing, and able to write detailed recommendations based on their work alongside of them.  

  • Scribes will demonstrate their ability to thrive on a team. Scribes must learn to work well with a variety of physicians who will each have a different style. They will also learn to deal with stress and be proactive in asking questions and picking up information quickly, which will benefit them as a medical student, resident, fellow, and attending physician.

After Your Med School Interview: FAQs on Follow-Up Strategy

Check out our earlier posts on writing Update Letters and Letters of Intent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send more than one Letter of Intent?

You can send a couple of quasi-Letters of Intent. You can tell up to two schools: "I will likely attend" or "X school is one of my top choices." But only send an "I will attend" letter to your top choice school.

What should I do when I get notified I’ve been put on the waitlist?

Send a Letter of Intent ASAP. If you want to turn your waitlist slot into an acceptance, sending a Letter of Intent to your top choice school is extremely important. We already highlighted what such a letter should generally entail, but waitlistees may also want to do a little more. When you update a school on a major accomplishment, a new Letter of Recommendation based on it by a professor or supervisor adds a little oomph. (Adding a random recommendation that isn't about something that has happened since your application is less likely to have an impact on a school's view of you.)

How do I decide where to send my Letter of Intent?

Be strategic about your note: You only get one, so shoot your letter of intent at a likely target, a safe bet. Of course, you should love the school, but choose a school you have a reasonable chance of getting into.

After Your Med School Interview: Send a Letter of Intent

How to Send a Letter of Intent

If a school is a top contender for you, go a step beyond an Update Letter, and send a Letter of Intent. Send a Letter of Intent one or two weeks after your interview or the instant you have been waitlisted. Your letter should include relevant updates since you submitted your application (what you'd put in an Update Letter). Plus, a reiteration of your interest in the program with shoutouts to favorite offerings. Be specific about why you are interested in the medical school and try to relate those interests to your background, accomplishments, and goals. Have you worked on a study that relates to something happening in one of their labs? Do you want to be a pediatric surgeon and they are affiliated with one of the best children's hospitals in the country? Tell ‘em.

And finally—and this is what makes a Letter of Intent different from an Update Letter—include the yield protection statement: "If admitted I will attend." Keep it tight. No more than one page. Three paragraphs, max.

Medical schools have several reasons for wanting to accept people whom they know will attend. First, they want enthusiastic students who will add to the morale of the student body. They also like to know, especially as the date of matriculation nears, that the applicant they accept will attend because no medical school wants an open seat on the first day of classes. Finally, medical schools like the percentage of accepted applicants who matriculate to be as high as possible since this reflects the desirability of the medical school. (That's their "yield percentage" stat.)

Check back tomorrow for our final post on how to follow-up after your Med School Interview.

After Your Med School Interview: Send an Update Letter

Naturally, you'll have the urge to be proactive as you wait for a school's decision. In the weeks after your interview—say, two to three weeks in—you should send a letter reiterating your interest to keep the admissions office thinking about you.

We're going to go ahead and say that you should send an update letter to every school where you’ve interviewed, unless you absolutely hated one or two and are confident that you'll get in elsewhere. You should also be writing to schools you’ve yet to hear from to remind them that you’re eager to connect. (A Letter of Intent will come later and should be for your one and only true love…but there's some flexibility there. More on that tomorrow.)

"Hey, remember me?”

How to Send an Update Letter

We know of one admissions director who an applicant emailed EVERY DAY after their interview to express their continued interest in the school. Yikes. She gets it. It was beyond too much; it seemed unhinged.

You want to send a maximum of two Update Letters over a six to 10-week period that reiterate your interest in each school with program-specific details. It should include that if admitted, you will likely attend. And only send letters that include a substantive accomplishment. If you don’t think you have one—you do! We like these examples of accomplishments that one might include in an Update Letter:

  • "Since submitting my application, I have increased my overall GPA to 3.8, earning an A+ in Biochemistry."

  • "As I mentioned during my interview, I began an internship doing clinical research at My Local Hospital in October. In the ensuing weeks, I have pre-screened 75 potential study subjects, gaining valuable research and patient-facing experience."

  • "Since applying, I gave a poster presentation on a novel postpartum hemorrhage treatment at The Very Cool National Conference."

Check back tomorrow for our post on how to send your Letter of Intent.

What to Expect in Your MMI: The Writing Station

Over the next week, we will offer examples of the kinds of MMI questions a school might ask. Memorizing a ton of sample questions isn’t the way to go. But familiarizing yourself with the various types of MMI questions and practicing responses will help you make cogent statements that express desirable qualities within a set time.

The Writing Station

Not every school’s MMI will have a writing station, but the ones that do will present you with their prompt (or two and you can pick one) and a time limit. That could be eight minutes, it could be 30. The previously mentioned categories cover the type of material you might be presented with at the writing station—it could be a scenario, policy, or personal question. The only thing that makes this station different is that it is testing your written communication skills.

As we have said throughout this guide, focus on clarity in your writing. If you complete your answer, don’t feel the need to add more. You’re allowed to be done early. You might find that you run out of time and that you’re cut off before you complete your response. That’s a shame—but it happens. Don’t dwell on it. The content you have hopefully expresses some strong reasoning, etc. You likely did just fine.

What to Expect in Your MMI: Teamwork Activities

Over the next week, we will offer examples of the kinds of MMI questions a school might ask. Memorizing a ton of sample questions isn’t the way to go. But familiarizing yourself with the various types of MMI questions and practicing responses will help you make cogent statements that express desirable qualities within a set time.

Teamwork Activities

Some schools will assess you in teamwork activities that you complete with another applicant. The pair of you might be asked to create an action plan together or one of you may act as an instructor and the other as a doer. (And then that gets flipped in a second exercise.)

An interviewer might ask you to build something with Lego blocks or do a puzzle together within a short timeframe. Only one of you can see a picture of the finished product, and the other person must listen to verbal instructions to assemble it. Medicine is intensely collaborative, so as silly as it seems to build a primary-colored train together, this activity will show some important communication skills. (And because more medical schools are shifting towards small group learning experiences—they want to see how you'd behave in them.)

Other schools may ask you and a larger team to find a solution to a problem or create a plan for a future program together. Things can get a little more heated here because opinions play more of a role. The most important thing to remember is that your teammates are not your competition, they are your colleagues. You won't impress your interviewers by bulldozing the other applicants and dominating the session.

Of course, you want to speak up, express your thoughts and opinions, and show leadership—but you must have a team in order to lead. Introduce yourself to your new teammates; try to remember their names and drop those names in when building upon something someone else has said. Empowering your teammates is a big deal. If you notice someone being left out of the conversation, be the person who asks, "What do you think, Tony?”

You don't have to compliment your teammates’ every suggestion but at least know what they've said so that you're always adding to it—not repeating it. If you're blocking out what a teammate is saying because you're waiting for your turn to speak, you will not do well in this team activity.

What if I don't finish?

That's okay! This isn't really about building the Lego train. You might be paired with a partner who is so nervous that they can't focus. If you're the instructor in this activity, keep your cool and show patience with your partner. Search for new ways of explaining the same concept. If you are the doer, ask thoughtful questions. This is going to reflect well on you, finished project or not.

Your story set apart.